Bubble cap structure for fractionating towers



July 13, 1948. M. R. REED 2,445,083

I BUBBLE CAP STRUCTURE FOR ERACTIONATING TOWERS Filed Oct. 15. 1943 llll Illlll I 20 v 50- /0 mmvma.

Mari/[ 8 feed /2 Arr-0g Patented July ,13, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUBBLE CAP STRUCTURE FOR FRACTIONATING TOWERS Merrill R. Reed, Kansas City, Kans.

Application October 15, 1943, Serial No. 506,346

fractionating towers known as a bubble cap, of

which there are a large number disposed at different levels throughout the height of each tower. One of the important objects of this invention is the provision of a bubble cap structure for fractionating towers, the nature whereof permits quick replacement with a minimum amount of work and without the necessity of workmen entering the towers and subjecting themselves to the dangers incident to such an operation.

Heretofore it has been the common practice 2 are disposed within the fractionating tower. There are a large number of trays l disposed horizontally in spaced relation throughout the height of the tower and each tray has a number to secure the caps of bubble structure in place through the medium of bolts having nuts threaded thereon. The tendency of the bolt and nut structure is to progressively tighten during the interval of use and when removal of the cap held in place is desired, a trmendous amount of work is required even to the extent of necessitating the service of two persons, one below the transverse tray, upon which the cap is positioned, and one thereabove.

An even further object of this invention, therefore, is to provide bubble cap structure with interlocking means, effective while in the assembled condition, yet quickly manlpulatable from a position exteriorly of the tower through the employment of a tool long enough to obviate the necessity of the operator entering the main tower body.

A yet further aim of this invention is to provide novel and unique interlocking flue and cap structure for fractionating towers, the parts whereof being secured together by a removable key capable of eflecting secure and positive interengagement of the parts, yet susceptible of quick and easy removal when the occasion arises.

Minor objects of the invention will vappear during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of bubble cap structure for fractionating towers, made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of such structure.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view throughv the bubble cap structure taken on line III-III of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a stretch-out perspective view illustrating the component parts of the bubble cap structure in disengaged relation.

The function and required duties of a bubble cap is well-known in the art and to those skilled in the business it is understood that the bubble caps are mounted upon a tray Ill, severalof which of openings l2 formed therethrough.

A flue I4 is fitted into each of openings." respectively, of tray Ill and to insure a tight joint at the zone of juncture between the edge of tray I8 and the outer periphery of the respective flues M, the latter is flared as at It. Flue It may have its side walls slightly inclined to establish a frusto-conical shaped body having a relatively small diameter at the end opposite to flared portion l6. Through such formation, the flue is rendered easy to insert and remove from its opening in tray Ill.

An axial stem I 8 perforated as at 28 projects beyond the upper annular edge of each flue i4 and is secured in place by a cross head 22 having oppositely bent ears 24 welded or otherwise secured in place.

The cap 26 is specially contoured to receive a key 28, and has a series of legs 30 resting on the upper surface of tray ill to provide an opening between the lower edge of cap 26 and the upper face of tray l8.

Cap 28 has a closed top wall 82 grooved as at 34 and perforated at a central point to create an opening 36 through which stem I8 is projected when cap 26 is moved to the operative position over flue i4. Groove 34 extends entirely across cap 28 as clearly shown in the drawing.

Key 28 is provided with serrations 31 along its upper inclined face, while its lower horizontal 1 face remains smooth to slide upon the floor of groove 34. A hooked head 88 at one end of key 28 affords an engaging portion for any tool which the operator desires to employ to disengage the key when cap 26 is to be lifted from its position over flue I 4. Tongs may be used to place key 28 and a drive flt insures solidity when the wedge action of the key 28 is exerted upon cap 26. Opening 28 in stem i8 is large enough to insure that its lowermost edgewill always be below the upper surface of cap 26 and therefore, the bottom'of key 28 will always frictionally, encounter the outer upper surface of the cap within groove 34.

From the foregoing, it is clear that when a bubble cap structure is in the condition shown in the drawing, and it is desired to replace any part thereof, key 28 may be jerked from place, whereupon cap 26 is lifted from engagement with stem i8 and flue It may be dropped through opening l2 in tray I8. Thus, all parts of the bubble cap structure are quickly removable from place and a new set of parts may be installed. In the event it becomes necessary to enter the fractionating tower, an operator may move about upon the tops of the several caps 28 of any particular tray Ill without encountering dangerous or objectionable upwardly projecting parts, for not only does the upper end of stem i8 remain below the plane of wall 32 of cap 28, but the entire body of key 28 lies within the confines of groove 84 with the hooked head 38 thereof well below the upper plane of said end wall 32. v

The several parts forming the bubble cap structure and embodying this invention are rugged, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to manipulate. The same may be re-used after cleaning and none of the parts are weakened by repeated employment. Bubble cap structures having physical characteristics different from those shown in the drawing and described above, may 'be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Bubble cap structure for fractionating towers comprising a this; a perforated stem projecting axially from one end of the fiue; a cap, having an opening in the top thereof over lying the said one end of the flue with the stem extending through the said opening; and a key positioned in the perforation of the stem to hold the cap in place. said key having a hook formed on one end thereof.

2. Bubble cap structure for fradtionating towers comprising a flue: a perforated stem projecting axially from one end of the flue; a cap, having an opening in the top thereof overlying the said one end of the flue with the stemextending through the said opening; and a key positioned in the perforation of the stem to hold the cap in place, said key having an inclined, serrated face in engagement with the stem and a hook formed on one end thereof.

3. Bubble cap structure for fractionating towers comprising a flue; a perforated stem having a portion thereof projecting axially from one end of the flue; a cap, having an opening in the top thereof overlying the said one end of the flue with the stem extending through the said opening; and a key positioned in the perforation of the stem to hold the cap in place, said cap having a groove formed transversely thereacross with the opening of the cap disposed at the bottom of said groove, said stem and the said key being below the plane of the upper outer face of the cap.

I MERRILL R. REED.

REFERENCES CITED lhe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Harris June 12, 1944 

